Roane's jaw clenched together, but he gave a brisk nod. As soon as he did, Wren and Tracey rushed past us. Gavin ran with them and they went in three different directions.
"My orders?"
Roane glanced at me and then said to the vampire, "I'm staying with Davy. Gregory, you—"
He jerked his head behind him and everyone looked at Brown, who was nearly pressing into his side. She scurried back a couple steps and gave everyone a sheepish grin. "He's like the jolly green giant, but not green."
"—can stay with the witch," Roane finished with a frown.
Brown perked up. "Gee, thanks. You know I'm a witch."
"Lucas?" The other vampire stood to the side.
"Gregory, keep Emily with you too."
"And the wolf?" Gregory glanced at Pippa, who stood behind the group. She looked unsure.
Roane's eyes hardened. "I'm sure they won't hurt their own."
"Lucas?"
He jerked his head in a nod. "Bastion, circle behind us. Wren, Tracey, and Gavin will set up a perimeter. Anyone who gets through them, Gregory and I can handle. You'll scout around and sweep back. I don't want anyone trying to get us from behind."
"And me?" Kates asked in a firm voice. "I can fight too."
With a smug look, Roane told her, "There's no decree against them."
A bright smile filled her face. The anticipation in her eyes doubled. It sent a shiver down my back as she purred, "That's what I thought."
'Lucas, they're here!' Wren's thought warned the vampires.
As one person, Roane, Gregory, and Bastion jerked around. Emily squeaked. Brown grabbed hold of Gregory's shirt and flew with him. Her body picked up in the air as if she were a balloon. Kates jerked forward, but stopped at the sight. As the vampires disappeared down the alley, she held back.
Kates looked at me. "Your friend is crazy."
I had enough time to shrug before she shot after them. Pippa, Emily, and I were the only ones left in the alley.
"What's going on?" Emily hugged herself tightly.
Pippa stood next to her, but didn't say anything. She looked at me instead. They both looked at me. "What?"
"They're here for you. What's going on?" Emily gave me a 'duh' look. "Are we under attack?"
"Oh my god!" Pippa burst out. "You're not stupid, Emily. You know what's going on. That's why you're not that scared. I can tell when you're scared and you're not."
"What are you talking about?" Emily's lip trembled.
"He just said 'what about the wolf?' and the other guy said 'I doubt they'll hurt their own.' You know we're under attack. They're all acting like they're going to war. What does that mean? That they're going to war! Figure it out, or at least stop acting like you haven't because I know you have. You're just acting like this so that people will take care of you. God forbid that you'd have to fend for yourself."
Pippa started to walk away when Emily cried out, "What do you mean by all of that?"
"Davy!" We turned at the fierce command. Roane stood a few feet away and he gestured to me. "Let's go!"
"But…" I looked back. What would happen to Emily and Pippa?
Pippa waved me to go. "I'll take care of Emily. We'll be fine. Be safe."
I opened my mouth to ask if she was sure, but there wasn't enough time.